Record Manufacturing

[Stuart Polansky]

https://youtu.be/8DhemZvGc8g?si=FR311NwpY5XFq5Td

[mix4fix]

Four seconds in I had to stop the video. I have never ripped off the plastic on a new record. I always slit it to preserve it the record sleeve.

I can't respect that person.

[SoundMods]

Four seconds in I had to stop the video. I have never ripped off the plastic on a new record. I always slit it to preserve it the record sleeve.

I can't respect that person.

That's what you got out this video? How about the random test-pressing being returned to the pile for sale after playing it on a mid-fi turntable/arm using an inexpensive cartridge.

That was a USED RECORD NOW being sold as new! So -- who wins the lottery that buys a used record from the pile? I would hope that not all pressing plants do that. WTF?!

[Pelliott321]

One also needs to consider the 12 or so steps from lacquer to pressing the daughter. There are many places where human hands are involved. This is one of the reasons I am no longer as deeply involved with vinyl. There are more times I am disappointed with an LP than I am happy with my purchase. Digital is just so much cleaner and simpler. Qobuz makes me happy.

[Guy]

Four seconds in I had to stop the video. I have never ripped off the plastic on a new record. I always slit it to preserve it the record sleeve.

I can't respect that person.

I thought the plastic had to be removed to prevent subsequent warpage of the record?

[mix4fix]

Four seconds in I had to stop the video. I have never ripped off the plastic on a new record. I always slit it to preserve it the record sleeve.

I can't respect that person.

I thought the plastic had to be removed to prevent subsequent warpage of the record?

Does that mean if I have brand new, never opened vinyl records, it's being warped just sitting on a shelf in side my home?

[tomp]

One also needs to consider the 12 or so steps from lacquer to pressing the daughter. There are many places where human hands are involved. This is one of the reasons I am no longer as deeply involved with vinyl. There are more times I am disappointed with an LP than I am happy with my purchase. Digital is just so much cleaner and simpler. Qobuz makes me happy.

Amen to that.

[SoundMods]

Four seconds in I had to stop the video. I have never ripped off the plastic on a new record. I always slit it to preserve it the record sleeve.

I can't respect that person.

I thought the plastic had to be removed to prevent subsequent warpage of the record?

Does that mean if I have brand new, never opened vinyl records, it's being warped just sitting on a shelf in side my home?

Yes and no. It is shrink wrap -- but I believe the pinch warp occurs during manufacture. If the record is not allowed to cool enough after pressing you can easily get that nasty warp.

Depending on the pressing plant and their business model -- cooling before removal takes time -- time is money. Look at that video again -- they take the records out soon after pressing and you can actually see the operator "bending" the record upon removal. My experience after these many years of spinning vinyl have only experienced warped records maybe six times in my lifetime. Also ticks and pops are rare as well. But that depends on the pressing plant's house-keeping regime.

To end this thread -- I have purchased many NOS recordings still contained in their original shrink-wrap packaging with no warps. Keeping the records clean assures long-term enjoyment.